SES members hope bill to establish Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund will pass
Members of Victoria's State Emergency Service (SES) hope a bill to boost their funding will be passed by the state parliament today.
The controversial bill to establish the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) is expected to return to parliament after it was delayed on Tuesday.
It aims to raise money for fire services, the SES, the state control centre and triple-0.
Unit controller Michael Bagnall said the SES had always been known as the "poor cousin" in emergency services.
He said increased funding would allow volunteers to spend more time responding and less time having to fundraise.
"This levy will allow $30 million over four years for training for volunteers … twice as much money for equipment upgrades, vehicles.
"An emergency services levy, which is similar to what every other state has, is the most equitable and sustainable way that we can see an increase in funding, that would then be guaranteed moving forward."
But it has drawn widespread condemnation from people in rural communities who say they are being unfairly slugged, as the bill would increase the amount some pay by tens of thousands of dollars.
Volunteer firefighters and farmers have staged protests in the regions and on the steps of parliament opposing the levy.
"Our focus has always been on the increased funding, and that is what we've asked for, and hopefully that is what is delivered here.
"How it comes to be and the other pieces of that, you know, it's really not up to us to comment on."
James Kirkpatrick is in the middle of planting his canola crop this week on his family farm near Beaufort, in south-west Victoria.
Taking time away from cropping, Mr Kirkpatrick took a stand during a statewide protest against the ESVF levy on Tuesday with other farming families from the area.
He said farmers in the south west were already doing it tough amid prolonged drought.
"It's been dry since April last year … our canola is germinating, but it really needs a drink," Mr Kirkpatrick said.
"This year there is no soil moisture. Any crop we put in this year is a gamble."
Mr Kirkpatrick was concerned the additional costs from the levy would add to existing financial pressures.
"Farmers from this financial year aren't making a lot of money," he said.
"There could be farmers at the end of their profit and loss reports who may be in the red between $50,000 to $200,000.
"It needs to be an even financial spread. Emergencies don't discriminate, fire affects anyone, any one of us could be in a car accident, we all need these services.
"Why should farmers be so disproportionately forced to pay for something?"
Mr Kirkpatrick's family has been farming for 170 years and he said he would draw a hard line in the sand if the bill passed.
"Why volunteer our time and safety to our state, and risk our safety for the sake of this state, if they are going to be so disrespectful and cruel and bankrupting their country constituents?"
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